Klaus Renft Combo Renft 1 und Renft 2. Die Originale (2-LP)

(SechzehnZehn) 23 tracks, gatefold cover

 "Klaus Renft Combo" combines in itself all the varieties on which German democratic rock was later built. The powerful, polyphonic "battle songs", the lyrical, deep ballads, the song-like, slightly jazzed dance floor stompers, the folkloristic-philosophical art rock variations and the cheerful, upbeat campfire songs. Performed by three (!) fundamentally different singers, the Renft sound is folksy and catchy, but does not neglect a high musical standard, innovative and creativity sparkling experiments included. It is extraordinarily amazing what the group was able to get out of the modest possibilities the studio offered at that time. Even today, the record sounds fresh and not a bit dusty. The songs themselves are each in their own right small, historical masterpieces that will never lose their hit potential and will always inspire new generations. Who can imagine an east rock evening without "Apfeltraum", "Wandersmann", "Wer die Rose ehrt" or "Gänselieschen"! Exactly! The lyrics that Gerulf Pannach and Kurt Demmler tailored for the Renft combo were, are, and will remain no less hitworthy. They are uncomplicated and singable, phonetically melodic and sensitive, at the same time pregnant with content and philosophical, and yet winking and cheerful without falling into shallow jokes. One can occupy oneself for hours with the texts and always discover new, surprising facets and possibilities of interpretation in them. This, too, was later to become a specific feature of Eastern rock.... All in all, we have here the wonderful prototype of what makes the music scene of the GDR still interesting and attractive for many people today, and whoever listens to this record will quickly understand why Renft is always talked about as THE cult band. "Klaus Renft Combo" is East rock history that EVERYONE should have in their record cabinet. (kf)